Pushkar

The holy city of Pushkar is situated on the banks of
the Pushkar Lake. Pushkar is about 11-kms away from Ajmer (and
approximately 132 kms from Jaipur, Rajasthan). Pushkar is one of the
most sacred places for the Hindus. The Pushkar city has the only temple
of lord Brahma, not only in India but also the world. No pilgrimage is
considered complete without a holy dip in the sacred Pushkar Lake. The
Pushkar city has more than 400 temples and 52 Ghats (bathing places).

The Pushkar Lake also has a mythological significance associated with
it. According to the Hindu mythology, Lord Brahma, the creator of the
world, was on his way to search an abode on the earth to perform a "Yagna'
(fire sacrifice). As he was mulling over, few lotus petals fell from his
hand on the earth (in and around Pushkar) and water sprouted from those
places. One of these places was Pushkar where Lord Brahma performed the
Yagna. Considered a heaven for the religiously inclined, Pushkar is also
the venue of one of the country's most colorful cattle fairs - the
Pushkar Camel Fair.

Surrounded by hills on three sides and sand dunes on the other, Pushkar
is a city of temples. The most famous of them is the Brahma temple. The
'Nag Pahar' or the Snake Mountain forms a natural boundary between Ajmer
and Pushkar. The holy Pushkar Lake is another sacred spot in the city,
where thousands of pilgrims take the holy dip. The Pushkar Lake has
around 52 Ghats. The place is one of the most important tourist
attractions during the Pushkar Camel Fair.

Pushkar has had a great strategic importance since historical times and
was at the receiving end during the Ghaznavid invasions. During the
Mughal period Pushkar became one of the favorite residential places of
the Mughal emperors. It was at Pushkar that the British ambassador, Sir
Thomas Roe met with Jehangir in the year 1616. In the year 1818, Pushkar
came under the British, becoming one of the few places in Rajasthan
controlled directly by British. Because of its old heritage, Pushkar
begets a legacy of timeless architectural heritage.

With so much to explore and see, Pushkar offers an immense tourist
potential. Let's have a quick look at the popular attractions in
Pushkar.

The Pushkar Camel fair is amongst the largest and oldest cattle
fairs in the world.

One of the oldest cities in India, Pushkar has the only temple in
the world dedicated to Lord Brahma, the creator.

The site of the holiest lake in the country.

52 bathing Ghats enclose the holy Pushkar Lake. Each Ghat has its
own amazing qualities and powers of healing.

Also called as the city of temples, Pushkar has over 500 temples
built over a long period time, with varied architectural styles.

The rose garden of Rajasthan - the essence of the famous Pushkar
rose is exported the world over.

Pushkar and its surrounding areas, with their varied terrain in
Rajasthan (sand, rock, hills, vegetation and lakes) are ideal for
adventure activities.

Proximity to a number of heritage places in the area.

Several fairs and festivals are held at Pushkar, especially on
the new and full moon days.

The Dargah of Khwaja Moin-Uddin-Chishti, among the most sacred
Muslims shrines, is located at near by Ajmer.

The place provides a great opportunity to visit local villages,
free from neck breaking commercialization.